U.S. patent number 7,184,973 [Application Number 09/902,361] was granted by the patent office on 2007-02-27 for method and apparatus for communicating order entries in a network environment.
This patent grant is currently assigned to United Parcel Service of America, Inc.. Invention is credited to David A. Gittings, Joseph M. Monteleone, Andrew G. Tibbs.
United States Patent |
7,184,973 |
Monteleone , et al. |
February 27, 2007 |
Method and apparatus for communicating order entries in a network
environment
Abstract
The order entry and visibility system according to the present
invention is a combination of network technologies that make it
possible for a first user, typically a purchaser, to enter product
orders electronically, communicate such to a second user, typically
a supplier and provide for the second user to generate completed
shipping labels upon fulfillment of at least a portion of the
order. The system provides advantages for both the first user,
purchaser and second user, supplier. The purchasers of products are
provided a means of entering product orders via a network
application and have immediate access to order and shipment status
via the network application. The supplier of the product accesses
the network application to process the order and generate a
completed shipping label upon the fulfillment of the order.
Inventors: |
Monteleone; Joseph M. (Cumming,
GA), Gittings; David A. (Roswell, GA), Tibbs; Andrew
G. (Marietta, GA) |
Assignee: |
United Parcel Service of America,
Inc. (Atlanta, GA)
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Family
ID: |
26911960 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/902,361 |
Filed: |
July 10, 2001 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20020046130 A1 |
Apr 18, 2002 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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60217471 |
Jul 11, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/26.81 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q
10/08 (20130101); G06Q 10/083 (20130101); G06Q
30/06 (20130101); G06Q 30/0635 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06Q
30/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;705/26,27 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
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Primary Examiner: Fadok; Mark
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Alston & Bird LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/217,471, entitled "Method and
Apparatus for Selling and Shipping Products Including the Use of
Shipping Labels", filed on Jul. 11, 2000, the contents of which are
herein incorporated by reference.
Claims
That which is claimed:
1. An order entry and visibility system for communicating product
orders and order information in a communications network, the
system comprising: a central communications device having
communications network access and being configured for receiving
one or more product orders from one or more buyer communications
devices via the communications network, each of the one or more
product orders identifying at least one product, and wherein, for
each of the one or more product orders, the central communications
device is further configured for: identifying one or more
particular suppliers from a plurality of suppliers to fulfill the
respective product order; communicating, over the communications
network, the respective product order to a supplier communications
device associated with the respective identified particular
supplier; receiving order processing status information from the
supplier communications device, the order processing status
information being selected from the group consisting of: an
indication of whether the product order is received and not
fulfilled, an indication of whether the product order is partially
fulfilled, and an indication of whether the product order is fully
fulfilled; in response to receiving the order processing status
information for the product order indicating that the product order
has been partially fulfilled or fully fulfilled, generating an
electronic shipping label for the product order; communicating,
over the communications network, the order processing status
information for the product order to a respective buyer that placed
the product order; and communicating, over the communications
network, the electronic shipping label for the product order to the
supplier communications device to allow thee supplier
communications device to print a physical shipping label from the
electronic shipping label, wherein the central communications
device, the buyer communications devices, and the supplier
communications devices are associated with different entities.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the order processing status
information further indicates whether the product order is ready to
be shipped.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the order processing status
information further indicates shipment tracking information for
product orders that have been shipped.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the order processing status
information further indicates whether the product order has
shipped, and, in response to receiving the order processing status
information indicating that the product order has shipped, the
central communications device is further configured for providing
billing related information to the buyer communications device that
submitted the product order, the billing related information
comprising shipping charges.
5. A method for product order entry, product order visibility, and
product order processing in a communications network, the method
comprising the steps of: receiving one or more product orders from
one or more buyer communications devices having communications
network access, each product order identifying at least one
product, the one or more product orders being received by a central
communications device; identifying, by the central communications
device, one or more particular suppliers from a plurality of
suppliers to fulfill each of the one or more product orders; in
response to identifying the one more particular suppliers to
fulfill each product order, storing the one or more product orders
and the identified one or more suppliers identified to fulfill each
product order on at least one storage device associated with the
central communications device; in response to identifying the one
more particular suppliers to fulfill each product order, for each
of the one or more product orders, communicating the product order
to a supplier communication device associated with the particular
supplier identified to fulfill the product order, the product order
being communicated over the communications network by the central
communications device; receiving, by the central communications
device for each of the one more product orders, an order
fulfillment status from the supplier communications device, the
order fulfillment status being selected from the group consisting
of: an indication of whether the product order is received and not
fulfilled, an indication of whether the product order is partially
fulfilled, and an indication of whether the product order is fully
fulfilled; in response to receiving the order fulfillment status
for a respective product order, communicating the order fulfillment
status to a respective buyer that placed the respective product
order; in response to receiving the order fulfillment status for a
respective product order indicating that the respective product
order has been partially fulfilled or fully filled, generating an
electronic shipping label and communicating the electronic shipping
label for the product order to the supplier communications device
to allow the supplier communications device to print a physical
shipping label from the electronic shipping label, wherein the
buyer communications device, the central communications devices,
and the supplier communications devices are associated with
different entities.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the order fulfillment status
further indicates whether the product order is ready to be
shipped.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein the order fulfillment status
further indicates shipment tracking information for product orders
that have been shipped.
8. The system of claim 5 wherein: the order fulfillment status
further indicates whether the product order has shipped, and, in
response to receiving the order fulfillment status indicating that
the product order has shipped, the central communications device is
further configured for providing billing related information to the
buyer communications device that submitted the product order, the
billing related information comprising shipping charges.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatuses
for facilitating order entry in a network environment, and more
particularly relates to methods and apparatuses for communicating,
in a network environment, order entries from a seller to a
supplier, providing for efficient shipment of the orders by the
supplier and providing order status to the seller.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recently, the Internet, or particularly the "World Wide Web" has
been of particular interest in the provision of commerce, and has
given rise to a widespread desire to engage in "e-commerce". For
background purposes World Wide Web (WWW or W3), is a collection of
globally distributed text and multimedia documents and files and
other network services linked in such a way as to create an immense
electronic library from which information can be retrieved quickly
by intuitive searches. The Web represents the application of
hypertext technology and a graphical interface to the Internet to
retrieve information that is contained in specially formatted
documents that may reside in the same computer or be distributed
across many computers around the world. Currently, the Web's
functionality is based on three main elements: HTML, HTTP and URL.
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) comprises the programming codes,
or tags, that define fonts, layouts, embedded graphics, and links
(hyperlinks) to other documents accessible via the Web. HyperText
Transfer Protocol (HTTP) defines a set of standards for
transmitting Web pages across the Internet. Universal Resource
Locator (IRL) is a standardized naming convention for identifying a
Web document or file, in a sense the address of a link. The result
is called the "Web" because it is made up of many sites, all linked
together, with users traveling from one site to the next by
selecting appropriate hyperlinks.
Web sites, also called Web pages, are really Internet sites that
all use the same techniques and HTML tags to create multimedia
documents with hypertext links. Each Web page can contain many
screens or printed pages of text, graphics, audio, and even video,
and the starting point for any Web site is called its home page.
Although each page is an Internet site, it must be accessed via a
special program called a Web browser, which can translate the HTML
into the graphical images, text, and hypertext links intended by
the creator of the page.
As acceptance of the Internet has become widespread, it may be seen
that the Internet has a great capacity to allow interaction between
various individuals and entities. The present invention also has a
general background relating to a business practice that involves
four entities: a Customer, a Seller, a Supplier, and a
Carrier/Shipper. In the most typical business model the Customer
initially contacts the Seller and inquires regarding availability
of a product. The Seller locates a Supplier having the product and
then "drop ships" the product to the Customer though use of a
Carrier. Drop shipping is an arrangement whereby the Supplier ships
merchandise directly to the Customer. This technique helps the
Seller avoid inventory and related administrative costs.
In today's conventional order entry/purchasing environment, where
sellers distribute orders to many suppliers, the suppliers will
typically have unique order interfaces or data interfaces which
complicates the ability to exchange orders and order status between
the suppliers and the sellers. As a means of receiving orders,
confirming orders and acknowledging shipment of orders some
suppliers support EDI, others use XML, telephones, and/or fax. This
difficulty in receiving and providing timely and efficient shipment
status has been a significant problem for both sellers and
suppliers in this situation. Readily available shipment status is
essential to good customer service; it minimizes the cost to obtain
shipment status, improves customer service, and gives the buyer
positive confirmation that their order is on its way.
For purposes of example, a current exemplary order entry process
for an Internet based company known as "SellerCo.com" is
highlighted in FIG. 1. In this example, SellerCo.com meets the
demands for difficult to find Maintenance Repair and Operating
(MRO) products. Referring to FIG. 1, the process ensues at step
(1), whereby the buyer/customer places an order on SellerCo.com's
Internet web site. At step (2) SellerCo.com' customer service
representative (CSR) locates a supplier, typically via the
Internet, a supplier list or any other research means. Once the
supplier is located, at step (3) the SellerCo.com provides the
customer with a price estimate. This estimate can be conveyed by
email, mail, fax, telephone or any other suitable communication
means. In due course the customer will likely approve the price
estimate and convey such back to the seller via any suitable
communications medium. At step (4), the seller's CSR enters the
confirmed order into the seller's order entry system system. The
supplier then communicates the order to the supplier, typically by
fax, email, phone or other suitable communication means. At step
(5), the supplier enters the order in their particular order
fulfillment system. Typically, this process takes on average three
business days to complete.
Once the supplier enters the order in to their particular order
fulfillment system then, at step (6), the supplier ships the order
using one of numerous possible carrier interface stations, such as
UPS, FedEx, Airborne, etc. At step (7), the product is shipped and
the carrier/shipping company bills the supplier for the shipping
charges. This billing process typically occurs in a time frame of
one to two weeks. Once the shipment commences the supplier, at step
(8) invoices the seller for the cost of the product and the
shipping charges. The seller, who acknowledges shipment via receipt
of the supplier's invoice, bills the customer/buyer for the
products and, at step (9), the buyer receives the invoice for the
product and pays the seller. At step (10), either prior to or
subsequent to the seller receiving payment from the customer/buyer,
the seller provides payment to the supplier for the product and the
shipping charges. Typically, this process takes on average fifteen
business days to complete.
Under the above-described process certain business problems have
been noted, which are discussed as follows. Assume that the seller
places the order with the supplier and also assume that the seller
does not receive shipment confirmation or status. When the customer
calls the seller to determine the status of the order, the seller
cannot immediately provide such information, and thus has to call
or otherwise contact the supplier to get the tracking number and/or
order status, which may or may not be immediately available from
the supplier. Once the seller has been provided with the order
status and/or shipment tracking number, the seller calls or emails
the order status to the customer. Such interaction necessarily
causes delay and cost to both the seller and the supplier. As a
result of the seller being unable to provide immediate feedback to
the customer, the customer is dissatisfied.
Additionally, the manual billing aspect of the present system
provides unnecessary delays in payment that further hinders the
cost efficiency of the supplier and the seller. Once the seller
knows the shipment status they can then proceed with invoicing the
buyer for goods or service purchased. In the same regard, if the
seller is provided real-time shipment status it hastens the invoice
process between the seller and the supplier and resolves billing
issues.
Therefore it may be seen that the need to provide good order and
shipment status is well recognized. Additionally, a need exists to
provide for an order entry and order visibility system that allows
for efficient billing to occur between supplier/seller and
seller/customer, thereby improving cash flow for all entities. Such
a system should also be able to provide the supplier with a
streamlined shipping process that includes self-generated shipping
label processing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The order entry and order visibility system according to the
present invention includes the use of networking technologies,
typically Internet technologies, that make it possible for a
purchaser to enter product orders electronically to a supplier via
a network application (i.e. web site or the like) and provide the
supplier a completed shipping label upon fulfillment of the product
order. Such a system provides advantages to both the purchaser and
supplier. The purchaser is allowed to input order information via a
network application and maintain constant order processing status
through the network interface. The supplier then interfaces with
the network application to process/fulfill the order and to
automatically print a completed shipping label upon order
fulfillment; the shipping label being compatible with the
particular carrier service chosen by either the purchaser or the
supplier. Upon the execution of the label printing process, the
order entry and visibility system of the present invention manages
the shipping information and makes this information accessible to
the purchaser.
To the product purchaser, the advantage of using the order entry
and visibility system of the present invention is that they now
have immediate access to shipment status. To the product supplier,
the advantage of using the order entry and visibility system is
that they receive order shipment information in an electronic form
and do not have to re-enter the shipping information to produce the
necessary shipping labels.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a method for
order receipt and order processing in a communications network is
defined as follows. The supplier of the product receives a product
order from the order entry and visibility system of the present
invention. This system is implemented on a communications device
having communications network access. The supplier then processes
the product order to the point at which at least a portion of the
order is being fulfilled. At the point of order fulfillment, the
order entry and visibility system generates completed shipping
labels. Additionally, the method may comprise the communication of
order status information via the communication network to intended
network recipients, such as the product purchasers. Such order
status information may comprise confirmation that an order has
shipped and the appropriate tracking information related to the
shipment.
In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a method for
order entry, order visibility and order processing in a
communications network is defined as follows. An order entry is
submitted to the order entry and visibility system of the present
invention. The order entry and visibility system being implemented
on a first communications device having communications network
access. The product order is then communicated over the
communications network to the intended supplier of the product.
This communication process may involve storing the order entry data
in a database associated with the communications network and having
the supplier access the database in conjunction with accessing the
order visibility application via the communications network.
The product order is then received by the intended supplier. The
receipt of the order is accomplished by a second communications
device having communications network access. The supplier then
fulfills at least a portion of the product order and provides order
fulfillment information to the order entry and visibility system.
Upon fulfilling the order, a completed shipping label is generated
by the order entry and visibility system of the present invention.
In addition, the method may comprise the communication of order
status information via the communication network to intended
network recipients, such as the product purchasers. Such order
status information may comprise confirmation that an order has
shipped and the appropriate tracking information related to the
shipment.
Additionally, the invention is embodied in an order entry and
visibility system for communicating product orders and order
information in a communications network. The system includes a
first communications device having communications network access
that provides for a first user to input a product order and
communicate the product order to a supplier. The system also
include a second communications device having communications
network access that provides for a second user to receive the
product order and generate a completed shipping label for at least
a portion of the product order. Additionally, the system will
include a communications network database that stores order entry
and order processing status information for the purpose of
providing users of the first and second communication devices
network access to the order entry and order processing status
information.
The order entry and visibility system of the present invention
thereby provides a link between order visibility and the
transportation portion of the supply chain. In this regard, the
present system is capable of manifesting (i.e., rating packages and
producing shipping labels) and transportation visibility (i.e.,
tracking) thus improving the overall supply chain cycle time and
customer service.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a current order entry and billing
system, in accordance with the prior art. This figure discloses in
the form of sequential Steps 1 10, beginning with the Buyer
entering an order through an exemplary Seller named "SellerCo.com"
and ends with both the Buyer receiving an invoice and the Supplier
being paid.
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a method for order entry, order
visibility and shipping label generation, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an order entry and billing system that
implements the order entry and visibility system, in accordance
with the present invention. This figure discloses in the form of
sequential Steps 1 9, beginning with the Buyer entering an order
through an exemplary Seller named "SellerCo.com and ending with
both the Buyer receiving an invoice and the Supplier being
paid.
FIGS. 4 39 are typically network application pages encountered
during an exemplary order entry and order visibility session
including the entry of an order by a first user, typically a
purchaser or a seller, followed by the fulfillment and/or shipping
of that order by a second user, typically the supplier.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred
embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may,
however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,
these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be
thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the
invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout.
General Outline
The present invention, as setforth herein, is a network
communicated order entry, order visibility and shipping status
mechanism. The methods, apparatuses and systems provided for by the
present invention allow a first user, typically a seller of
products, to input an order entry and communicate the order, via a
network, to a second user, typically a supplier of goods. The
supplier, who will have generally immediate order visibility
capability, can fulfill the order in whole or in part,
electronically print the requisite shipping labels and provide the
seller with network communicated feedback that shipment of the
order has commenced and, in most instances, provide the seller with
a means for tracking the status of the shipment. Since the present
invention allows for the users, both sellers and suppliers, to
access the system concurrently it provides for the sellers to have
ready access (i.e. visibility) to information related to the status
of an order they have placed with a supplier. In the same regard,
the supplier has immediate visibility to orders that the seller
places with them and can efficiently fill and ship the orders
without the need of transferring information from the order
receipt/confirmation system to a shipping system.
The present invention provides the seller of the product with
immediate and up-to-date access to shipment status, thereby
allowing the seller to accurately and efficiently convey this
information to their customers. Additionally, by providing
immediate information related to when an order is shipped, the
supplier benefits from being able to bill their customers in a more
efficient and timely fashion. The supplier of the product benefits
from using the order entry and visibility system of the present
invention in that they receive order entry information in an
electronic form virtually moments after the order has been placed.
In addition, the supplier may be provided with a completed shipping
label upon fulfillment of the order, thereby, negating the need to
re-enter the shipping related information in a separate shipping
label system.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2
illustrates a flow diagram of a method for providing order entry
and order visibility. At step 100 a first user, submits an order to
the order entry and visibility system of the present invention.
Typically, the first user will be a seller representative that
accesses the system via a network interface, although the first
user may also include any other purchaser authorized to place an
order via the system. The first user accomplishes order entry by
filling in related order entry fields within the system; examples
of such order entry fields include supplier name, ship to address,
line items, quantity and any other order related information. This
order entry function can be accomplished either manually via key
entry or automated via an ancillary order entry interface.
At step 200, the order entry is communicated via the communications
network to other users of the order entry and visibility system.
The Internet is the typical communications network, although other
communication networks, such as more private intranets, may also be
used as the communications network. Once the first user (i.e., the
seller) communicates the order entry to the network the system
allows for real-time visibility of the order by all users who have
access the order. For example, if the order is placed with a
specific supplier then that supplier and that supplier only, will
have real-time access to the order information. Additionally, it is
also possible to communicate the order information to other users
of the order entry and visibility system, such as the customer for
whom the order is being placed. In one embodiment of the invention,
network communication is accomplished by communicating (i.e.,
storing) the order entry information to a network related database.
The supplier of any given order will be notified, typically via
email or other communications, that an order has been placed.
At step 300, a second user, typically a supplier representative
accesses the system (i.e., the database) via a network interface.
Access by the second user provides for immediate visibility of open
orders placed by the first user that are intended to be fulfilled
by the second user. The second user processes the order by readying
for shipment either a portion of the order or the order in its
entirety. Additionally, the second user may process the order as
being pending if the shipment of the product will occur in the
future, typically due to product unavailability, or the details of
the shipping related information are not yet known.
If the second user elects to implement the shipment processing
capabilities of the order entry and visibility system, then at step
400, the second user prints a completed shipping label(s) to be
affixed to the shipping containers. The system provides the
capability to print, ready-to-go, shipping labels for any of the
shipping entities supported by the system (i.e., UPS, Airborne,
Roadway, etc.). Alternatively, the second user may choose to
implement internal shipping processes, thereby, foregoing the
automated shipping label process of the present invention.
Once the shipment process is complete, the order status is updated
and, at step 500, the order status is communicated via the
communication network to the system users. In this regard, the
system users have immediate access to the system database and can
thereby verify the shipping status for a particular order.
Additionally, the shipment of an order may trigger the system to
communicate to the first user via email, XML, fax or the like,
shipment related information, such as the shipping carrier's
tracking number, and/or billing related information related to the
cost of the products and/or the shipping charges. The order status
information is typically communicated to the entity that placed the
order, i.e., the seller, although, it is also possible to
communicate the order status to other system users, such as the
seller's customers or the like.
Order Entry and Visibility System Implementation
Referring to FIG. 3 shown is a flow diagram that illustrates the
implementation of the order entry and visibility system, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. It should
be noted that the implementation shown in FIG. 3 is not limiting
and other implementations of the order entry and visibility system
are feasible and within the bounds of the present invention. For
the invention to be implemented in a communications network a
shared, preferably secure, network site is established, typically a
website located on the Internet, although other communication
networks may be used, such as intranets and the like. Establishing
a website for the present invention is generally known by those of
ordinary skill in the computer art field and will not be detailed
in this discussion.
Prior to implementing the order entry and visibility system of the
present invention the following preliminary steps are discussed to
gain a full appreciation of the purchasing process. At step (1) the
customer/buyer provides the seller with an order for a specified
product. The order may be placed via the seller's e-commerce
website, via telephone, via mail or any other means. At step (2),
the seller's CSR receives the order and locates a supplier via the
Internet, a supplier list or any other supplier research technique.
Once a supplier is located, at step (3), the seller sends the
customer/buyer a price estimate, typically the estimate is sent via
email, fax or other suitable communication means. The
customer/buyer will typically approve the price quote via standard
communication means, such as email, fax or the like. Once the
approved estimate is received from the buyer/customer, at step (4),
the seller enters the confirmed order into their particular order
entry system.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the order entry
and visibility system is capable of interfacing with the seller's
order entry system such that the seller's order entry system
automatically transfers the necessary order information to the
order entry and visibility system of the present invention (shown
in step (4) as OV (order visibility) integration). In an alternate
embodiment of the invention, the seller may be required to manually
or otherwise input the order data into the order entry and
visibility system of the present invention. At step (5), once the
order has been entered into the order entry and visibility system
it is electronically communicated via the network to the supplier.
The supplier will have generally real-time access to the order once
the seller places the order in the system. An automated email or
other form of communication is typically sent from the seller to
the supplier alerting them that an order has been placed and is
available within the order entry and visibility system.
At this stage, once the supplier receives the order via the order
entry and visibility system of the present invention the supplier
may choose to integrate the order into their particular order
fulfillment system or to utilize the order visibility system as
their order fulfillment system. In the instance in which the
supplier transfers the data from the order entry and visibility
system to their particular order fulfillment system the transfer
may be automated or manual.
The shipping of the product will typically be processed through the
order entry and visibility system. The seller or the supplier will
have the capability to dictate the carrier to be used for the
shipment. The invention will provide for the capability to have
fully complete shipping labels, corresponding to the shipping
labels of the chosen carrier, printed out. The supplier may choose
to ship the order in total or the supplier may choose to ship the
order in part, such that the order visibility system statuses the
shipment as shipped or partially shipped, accordingly. Alternately,
the supplier may choose to forego the shipping aspect of the
present invention and process shipping of the order through
separate individual carrier processing stations.
If the order entry and visibility system is used to process
shipping then once the item has been shipped, at step (6), the
exact carrier costs are immediately known. This eliminates the need
for the carrier to bill the supplier for the shipment charges and,
as such, the supplier is able to immediately, via email or other
suitable communication means, bill the seller for the cost of the
product and the shipping charge. At step (7), the seller receives
the invoice from the supplier and can then immediately bill the
buyer/customer, via email or other suitable communication means. At
step (8), the buyer receives the invoice and pays the bill
accordingly. Either prior to or subsequent to the seller receiving
payment from the buyer, at step (9), the seller provides payment to
the supplier, typically either electronically or via the mail. By
providing for efficient means of billing the seller and the
customer the overall billing cycle time is substantially reduced
and cost efficiencies are realized by both the supplier and the
seller.
Sequential Example of the Order Entry and Visibility System
As may be understood, the present invention will typically be
implemented on the Internet and the users will be required to have
access to the Internet through a compatible Internet browser, such
as Internet Explorer manufactured Microsoft Corporation of Seattle,
Wash. or Netscape manufactured by Netscape Communications
Corporation of Mountain View, Calif. However, it should readily be
understood that the present invention contemplates the use of other
standard Internet browsers as well as proprietary browsers if so
desired. The typical browser will be configured to accept graphics,
allow JavaScript language programming (or another suitable
cross-platform, object-based scripting languages) and enable secure
socket layer encryption technology.
Order Entry and Visibility System Interfaces
In accordance with the present invention, the order entry and
visibility system will typically have three interfaces. These
interfaces include, but are not limited to, a system administrator;
a first user, typically a seller's customer service representative
(CSR); and a second user, typically a supplier's representative. In
order to fully appreciate the functionality of the overall system,
the following discussion briefly explains the function and
interaction of these interfaces.
The system administrator provides the authorized user with the
ability to assign user accounts for the order entry and visibility
system and configure user rights as either a seller's CSR or a
supplier's representative.
The first user or seller's CSR interface provides the capacity to
enter orders and assign them to specific suppliers. Additionally,
the seller's CSR is able to view the orders, edit the orders, and
track the status of the order. Order processing is tracked by the
seller's CSR by visibility to the second users processing of the
order (i.e. Is the order still listed on the system as open?,
pending?, partially shipped?, or shipped?). Shipping tracking is
typically accomplished by using the tracking number that was
assigned by the second user as a result of performing the shipping
operation.
The second user or supplier's representative interface provides for
the ability to view orders specifically assigned to the supplier
and to process the orders assigned accordingly. Processing the
order typically entails fulfilling the order, either in total or in
part and readying the order for shipment. The supplier's
representative interface inputs information into the system
regarding the status of orders being processed. In one embodiment
of the invention, the supplier's representative interface will
implement the shipping aspect of the invention to provide for
completed shipping labels to finalize the shipping process.
Alternatively if the supplier does not need the shipping aspect of
the present invention to print the shipping labels, the supplier
representative may, manually or otherwise, enter the shipping
related information into the order entry and visibility system of
the present invention. This shipping label override feature allows
for the suppliers to continue using their own sophisticated
shipping process if the suppliers so choose. Also, the supplier'
representative interface may input shipping related information if
the desired carrier is defined as a Less Than Truckload (LTL)
carrier.
First Order Visibility System Interface--The Seller
For purposes of initial discussion, a typical seller's Customer
Service Representative (CSR) will be assumed to be the first user,
i.e., the first interface, of the present invention's order
visibility system. Typically, a seller's CSR will access the order
visibility system to input customer orders into the system and send
the orders to specified suppliers. Additionally, the CSR will
access the order visibility system to check the status of orders.
FIG. 4 is a typical order visibility system log-in page that is
encountered by the CSR when accessing the specific network address
associated with the order visibility system. The CSR will proceed
with inputting a user name and password in the designated areas on
the log-in page. For the example portrayed in the figures, the user
name of the customer representative may be assumed to be "csr", and
the password can be set as desired.
After the user/CSR has successfully logged on to the order
visibility system, the user will gain access to a Main Menu page,
FIG. 5. As may be seen, underneath the main menu title the
following subtitles may exist, which also function as hyperlinks:
Open Orders, Partial Orders, Shipped Order, and All Orders. In
addition, the main menu will typically include subtitle/hyperlinks
that provide for access to New Order, Edit Order and Order Search
functions.
As will be seen in subsequently described web pages (i.e. figures),
the Main Menu page includes a "heading" graphic with one or more
embedded links. Of note, one of these links is a "Help" link, which
provides for a pull-down menu of various help sections. By
selecting the help section entitled "Help Main Menu" the page shown
as FIG. 6 will be accessed. This page provides for a column
entitled "Help Features" and a column entitled "Common Processes".
The "Help Features" column includes hyperlinks to frequently asked
questions, an email address, new features, a glossary of terms and
a site map. The "Common Processes" column includes "How to" links
for various processes that a CSR will customarily perform. For
example, by selecting the sixth link entitled "How do I view
information about an order?", the user will be provided access to
an instructional page, shown in FIG. 7, that defines the specific
steps involved in viewing information about an order. Each step in
the process provides for a link entitled "Click here for more
details" that provides accesses to a page comprising more detailed
instruction and a full page-size figure corresponding to the
downsized figure accompanying the specific step.
Referring again to FIG. 5, a CSR/user could select, or "click-on",
the "New Order" link if the CSR desires to enter a new order.
Likewise, the CSR could select the Edit Order link in order to edit
a previously inputted order. Additionally, the CSR could select one
of the links entitled Open Orders, Partial Orders, Shipped Orders
or All Orders, respectively, if the user elects to view the status
of open orders, partial orders, shipped orders, or all orders,
respectively.
For purposes of discussion, it will be assumed that from the page
shown in FIG. 5 the CSR/user selects the "All Orders" link,
resulting in a page display such as shown in FIG. 8. This page
display is entitled Order Listing, and it allows the CSR to search
the entire order database within a specific date range or for a
predefined preceding number of days. In the instance shown in FIG.
8, the default range is the preceding 180 days. The Order Listing
page will typically include headings corresponding to information
related to the orders, in the example shown six headings correspond
to six columns of related information. The first column is labeled
ID, the second column is entitled ORDER, the third is entitled
STATUS, the fourth is labeled ORDER DATE, the fifth is entitled
SUPPLIER and the sixth is labeled LOCATION. The ORDER field
comprises the seller's order numbers and the STATUS field defines
the status of particular orders as being open (i.e., order placed
but not yet shipped), shipped or partially shipped. The field
entitled ORDER DATE identifies the dates on which the orders were
initially placed. The SUPPLIER field identifies the particular
suppliers that have been identified for delivery of the different
orders and the LOCATION field identifies the location of the
particular supplier.
FIGS. 9 11 are similar to FIG. 8, except that they show "Open",
"Partial" and "Shipped" orders, respectively. These pages can be
accessed by selecting the "Open Orders", "Partial Orders" or
"Shipped Order" links on, for example, FIG. 5.
As shown in FIGS. 8 11, the various columns may be sorted in
ascending or descending order by use of the upwardly or downwardly
oriented arrows next to the labels of the individual column
headings. A sort function within the heading may provide for the
ORDER, STATUS, ORDER DATE, SUPPLIER and LOCATION fields to be
sorted in numerical order, alphabetical order or chronological
order depending on the field entries comprising the column. For
example, FIG. 11 depicts shipped orders that have been
chronologically sorted by order date with the most recently placed
order appearing first in the ORDER DATE column.
If the CSR/user attends on placing a new order, a suitable "New
Order" link, such as displayed on the Main Menu page or the "Order"
pull-down menu found on most page headings, will be selected. Once
"New Order" entry has been selected the CSR/user may access a page
entitled New Order, as shown in FIG. 12, which requests the user to
enter the customer number associated with the customer purchasing
the order to be entered. Under one aspect of the present invention,
if an existing customer number is entered in this field, existing
customer information will be retrieved from a customer database and
used to place the new order. However, if a new, previously, unused
customer number is inserted, a new customer information page will
be provided. For purposes of discussion, a new customer number will
be used, namely 063000. Inputting the new customer number will
result in access to a page entitled Customer Information: New
Customer, as depicted in FIG. 13. This page illustrates the various
entry fields that may be used for new customer information.
After completing the entry fields found on the New Customer
information page the user/CSR will select "Submit". By selecting
the "submit" option the new customer information is stored in the
customer database. Additionally, selecting the "submit" option will
provide the user/CSR with access to a page entitled Enter a New
Order, as shown in FIG. 14. The new order entry page will typically
comprise fields for order information and fields for customer
information. The customer information will be carried over from
customer information database in those embodiments of the invention
that incorporate a customer database. In an alternative embodiment
of the invention, in which the customer database does not exist,
the user/CSR will be required to provide inputs to all the customer
information fields displayed within the new order entry page.
The order information fields on the new order entry page may
comprise, Order Number, reference Number, Customer PO Number,
Shipping Method, Number of Line Items, Supplier, Date Ordered, Date
Requested and Location reference. The required fields are indicated
by an asterisk located adjacent to the field name. The user/CSR
will manually input order information into the order information
fields or an ancillary SAP system may electronically interface with
the order entry system of the present invention to provide the
requisite order information.
If the user/CSR is uncertain as to what information is to be
provided in a given field, the user/CSR may access the pull-down
"Help" menu located in the page heading. Provided for within the
pull-down "Help" menu is an entry entitled "Glossary". By selecting
the "Glossary" entry, the user/CSR is provided access to the
Glossary page, as shown in FIG. 15. The glossary is alphabetically
assembled and provides brief descriptions of all the field entries
found within the order visibility system. If the user/CSR desires
further assistance in completing the new order entry, provided for
within the pull-down "Help" menu is an entry entitled "Help Main
Menu". By selecting the "Help Main Menu" entry, the user/CSR is
provided access to the Help Main Menu page, as previously discussed
and as shown in FIG. 6. By selecting option 1, entitled "How do I
create a New Order"; the user/CSR will access specific step-by-step
instructions detailing the method for creating new orders, as shown
in FIG. 16.
For purposes of this discussion and as illustrated in FIG. 14, the
user/CSR enters the Order Number as "10010". The Reference Number
is entered as "24". The Customer Purchase Order (PO) Number is
assumed to be "1000000024". The Shipping Method is selected to be
"UPS Ground". The number of line items in the order is "2". The
chosen supplier is "Supplier Company". The date ordered will
correspond to the present date and the date requested will be
defined by the user/CSR, in this instance the first day of the
subsequent month. For the purpose of this example, the Location
Reference field is assumed to be undefined.
In a typical order visibility system the seller may predefine the
shipping options and the supplier options. The predefined options
may be displayed to the user/CSR by a pull-down menu associated
with the order entry fields for shipping method and supplier. For
instance, the seller may predefine UPS Ground, UPS next Day Air,
and various LTL (Less Than Truckload) carriers as suitable shipping
options. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
and as will be discussed at length in subsequent detailed
discussion, once the supplier receives the order, with a requested
shipping method, the supplier can then process the order and
automatically print a shipping label associated the chosen shipping
method.
Once the user/CSR enters the required information in the order
information fields and/or the customer information fields, the
user/CSR can select "Continue" to continue the order entry process
or the information provided in the fields may be edited by
selecting the "Clear Information" option. For purposes of this
discussion the user/CSR selects the "Continue" option and access is
provided to a page entitled Line Items for Order 10010, as depicted
in FIG. 17.
The Line Item Order page provides for line item order entry
corresponding to the number of line items entered in the previous
Order Entry page, in this instance, "2". The line item field
includes Line Item ID, SKU/Item Number, Quantity, Description and
Reference. The Line Item ID is a unique identifier for this
particular order, in this instance, line item 1 is assigned "100"
and line item 2 is assigned "200". The SKU/Item Number is typically
the suppliers number for the particular item, in this instance,
line item 1 is defined as "188" and line item 2 is defined as
"189". The quantity desired is defined in this instance as "2" for
line item 1 and "1" for line item 2. The description field provides
for a description of the goods being purchased, for instance, line
item 1 is a "widget" and line item 2 is a "widget holder". The
reference field, which has been left undefined in this instance,
provides the user/CSR with the ability to add reference
information, as necessary.
Once the user/CSR enters the required information in the Line Item
order information fields the user/CSR can select "Continue" to
continue the order entry process or the information provided in the
fields may be edited by selecting the "Edit Order Information"
option. For purposes of this discussion the user/CSR selects the
"Continue" option and access is provided to a page entitled, Order
Confirmation, as depicted in FIG. 18.
The Order Confirmation page will indicate new order details,
customer information and line item information, which corresponds
to the information previously entered. If the information shown is
incorrect, the user/CSR may select the "Edit Order" link to edit
any of the information shown in the confirmation. However, assuming
the order information is correct, the "Process Order" link will be
selected and the user/CSR is directed to a page entitled, New Order
Processed, as shown in FIG. 19.
The New Order Processed page indicates that the new order has been
accepted by the system and placed with the supplier. In this
instance, it is noted that the order number 10010 has been accepted
and the order is now "visible" to the chosen supplier, in this
instance "Supplier Company". "Visible" in this application means
that when the supplier accesses the order visibility system this
particular order will now appear as being placed and requiring
action on the part of the supplier. In addition, confirmation of
the order being placed will also prompt the order visibility system
to automatically send the supplier an order communication,
typically either e-mail or a xml feed, alerting the supplier that
an order has been placed. After confirmation of the order being
placed, the user/CSR may select to return to the "Main Menu",
"Enter a New Order" or "Logout".
For purposes of this discussion, it will be assumed that the
user/CSR returns to the Main Menu and selects the "All Orders"
link, resulting in the user/CSR accessing the page that comprises
all of the orders currently placed, such as shown in FIG. 20. As
may be seen, FIG. 20 is a view similar to that of FIG. 8 except
that the new order #10010 is included at the top of the list,
indicating that its status is OPEN, the order date is Jun. 6, 2001,
and the supplier is Supplier Company.
Second Order Visibility System Interface--the Supplier
At this point, for purposes of discussion, it will be assumed that
a representative of the supplier, Supplier Company will access the
order visibility system for the purpose of receiving and filling
the order that was placed by the seller. However, it should be
understood that the supplier may access the system either before or
after the customer service representative has "logged out." Once
the order has been confirmed at the seller's end, the order will be
communicated to the supplier and the supplier will have the
capability to view that order momentarily thereafter (depending on
the speed of the network communication). The seller and the
supplier may, and very often will, be logged-on to the system
simultaneously.
FIG. 21 is the same order visibility system log-in page as FIG. 4
that is accessed by inputting the specific network address
associated with the order visibility system. However, in this
instance, the page is being accessed by the supplier and the
supplier's representative will proceed with inputting a user name
and password in the designated areas on the log-in page. For the
example portrayed in the figures, the user name of the supplier's
representative may be assumed to be "supplier", and the password
can be set as desired.
Upon entering the appropriate User Name and Password, the
supplier's representative will access a page entitled, Main Menu,
as shown in FIG. 22. The Main Menu for the supplier provides the
current order status (1 open order, 2 partially shipped orders and
0 pending orders), as well as the following links: "Open",
"Partially Shipped", "Pending Orders", "Shipped", "Ship an Order"
and "Order Shipped". As may be understood, these links provide
access to the supplier' particular open orders, partially shipped
order, pending orders, shipped orders, as well as provides a
shipping link and an order search function.
In this instance, the supplier's representative selects "Open"
orders to view orders placed by the seller that have yet to be
processed. As shown in FIG. 23, the supplier accesses a page
entitled, Order Listing that provides information related to open
orders. The page allows the supplier to search the entire open
order database within a specific date range or for a predefined
preceding number of days. In the instance shown in FIG. 23 the
default range is the preceding 180 days. This page may include
order information, such as, seller's Order Number, Order Status,
Order Date, as well as the Customer purchasing the goods. It may be
noted that there is no need to provide any supplier related
information at this point, as it is assumed that the supplier
viewing such an order listing will be the supplier assigned to
these particular orders by the seller.
As may be seen, The order visibility system of the present
invention provides the supplier with access to (i.e. visibility)
the supplier's "partially shipped" orders (FIG. 24), the supplier's
"shipped" orders (FIG. 25) and/or the supplier's "pending orders"
(FIG. 26). Partially shipped orders are defined as those orders
that still have line items or portions of line items yet to ship.
Pending orders are defined as those orders that have been processed
and filled but have yet to ship (i.e. assigned shipping tracking
numbers). Shipped orders are those orders that have shipped in
total.
The supplier has various options obtaining the information
necessary to ship open orders. The supplier may access the open
orders page via the Main Menu page and select the order number of
any open order. By selecting the open order number, the supplier
will be directed to a page entitled, Ship Order XXXX, where XXXX
indicates the order number. The Ship Order page is illustrated as
FIG. 27. Alternatively, the supplier may select the "Ship an Order"
link from the Main Menu that directs the supplier to a page
entitled, Ship Order Search, as shown in FIG. 28. The ship order
search page requires the supplier to input information related to
an open order. Thus the supplier would be required to have
knowledge of the shipment, in the form of an order number, a
reference number, a customer PO number or the like. By inputting
the order number, in this instance "10010", the supplier is
directed to the same Ship Order XXXX referenced above and shown in
FIG. 27.
As shown in FIG. 27, the Ship Order page is provided which includes
the order number, customer information (i.e. to whom the order will
be shipped to), as well as provisions to enter certain shipment
information corresponding to the package. As may be seen, such
shipment information includes fields for weight (in pounds),
dimensions (typically in inches), special requirements for an
oversized package and/or a delivery, the declared value (in
dollars), number of packages and shipper tracking number.
Additionally, the shipment information will indicate the seller's
desired shipping service. In one embodiment of the invention, the
supplier may be able to override the seller's desired shipping
service if so desired. To allow for the shipping service to be
overridden by the supplier a pull-down supplier menu may be
provided that lists acceptable alternative shipping services. The
Ship Order page also comprises fields for LTL information. LTL
information is required if the seller has requested shipment via
LTL carrier or the supplier has overridden the seller's shipment
request and has chosen an LTL carrier. These fields may include
tracking number, shipment description, carrier instructions,
package description, LTL class, BOL (Bill of Lading) number or the
like.
Prior to entering the order package information, the supplier will
typically access the details of the order by selecting the "View
Order Details" link on the Ship Order page. A separate network
window will typically be opened that provides access to the page
shown in FIG. 29, that provides order details, such as supplier
name and address, order number, order status, customer/ship to name
and address, customer PO number, date ordered, date requested and
line item information. From this page the supplier may also view
any additional seller-supplied notes related to the order by
selecting the "View Order Notes" link on this page.
Once the supplier determines from the Order Detail page that
inventory exists to fulfill at least a portion of the order, the
supplier will proceed with fulfilling the order by pulling the
requisite stock and boxing the shipment, accordingly. Package
information is then provided by the supplier in the appropriate
package information fields on the Ship Order page. As a minimum the
package weight and the shipping service must be provided before the
order can be processed as shipped. Additionally, the remaining
package information fields may be completed to provide further
description of the package and/or to define additional shipping
requirements. The supplier can manually enter a tracking number or
a tracking number can be automatically provided for when the
shipping label is subsequently generated.
If the seller or the supplier has indicated that LTL shipping is to
be performed then the fields listed under LTL information will
typically be completed prior to selecting "Ship Order". Assuming
that an LTL-type shipper is to be used it should be noted that if
the supplier does not enter a "LTL Tracking Number," the order
would be, according to the present invention, classified as a
"Pending Order" awaiting shipment upon the assignment of the
appropriate tracking number. The supplier or the shipper is then
instructed to return to the Ship Order page and enter the LTL
tracking number at which point the status of the order changes from
"pending" to "shipped". As may be understood by those of skill in
the art of shipping, typically an LTL tracking number is not
provided by the LTL carrier until the actual carrier driver arrives
at the supplier locale to pick up the package to be shipped.
Additionally, the Ship Order page provides the supplier the option
of adding order notes to the shipment by selecting the "Add Order
Notes" link on the Ship Order Page. Typically, upon selection a
separate network window will be opened that displays the Order
Notes page. The supplier may either provide custom notes or access
a listing of generic shipment notes. Once the shipment notes have
been submitted they will be conveyed to the Customer via the order
entry and visibility system or via XML.
Once the shipment is ready to be shipped the supplier selects the
"Ship Order" link and the supplier is directed to a page entitled,
Ship Line Items for Order XXXX, as shown in FIG. 30. This allows
the supplier to alter the number of line items shipped or the
quantity of any one line item. For instance in the example
presented herein, assume the supplier is shipping a quantity of one
from line item 1 and a quantity of 1 from line item 2. The supplier
representative edits the quantities in the "ship" field and selects
the "Ship Order" link to complete the ship order process. If the
supplier representative desires to edit the shipment information,
the supplier selects the "Edit Shipment" link and the supplier is
returned to the Ship Order page, FIG. 27.
Upon selecting the "Ship Order" link, the supplier is directed to a
page that generates the shipping label, as shown in FIG. 31. The
shipping label can then be printed out and affixed to the shipping
container. The shipping label will be indicative of the shipping
service chosen and may include the tracking number of the item
being shipped. Additionally, the shipping label will typically have
the customer name and address, return address of the supplier,
package weight and any other shipping related information printed
thereon. The label page may also include instructions for printing
the label, affixing the label to the container and pick-up of the
package by the carrier.
Once the label has been printed and affixed and the package is
deemed "shipped" the supplier has the option of returning to the
Main Menu or viewing the Open Orders page. These options are
performed by selecting the corresponding links on the Label page.
For instance, if the supplier chooses to return to the Open Order
page, the page will indicate that no open orders remain, as
depicted in FIG. 32. If the supplier chooses to return to the Main
Menu page and then selects the "Partial Shipment" link, the Partial
Shipment page, as shown in FIG. 33, will indicate that Order Number
10010 is a partial shipment and, thus further shipment is required.
If the supplier selects the Order Number in the Partial Shipment
page, it will direct the supplier to the Ship Order page where the
order may be shipped in full or a further partial shipment may be
undertaken.
In addition, confirmation of the order being shipped, i.e.,
selecting the "Ship Order" link, will also prompt the order
visibility system to automatically send the seller an order
communication, typically either e-mail or a xml feed, alerting the
seller that a shipment of the order has taken place and providing
the seller with the appropriate order number, tracking number(s)
and/or package weight(s). The shipment confirmation communication
may also include billing information related to the cost of the
products being shipped, as well as, the shipping charges. By
providing for a mechanism to bill the seller for the shipping
charges, immediately, upon shipment, the order entry and visibility
system of the present invention eliminates the need to have the
carrier bill the supplier. Additionally, a similar shipment
confirmation message may be sent to the customer of the
shipment.
It is also possible and within the inventive concepts herein
disclosed to configure the order entry and visibility system of the
present invention so that from the supplier's perspective the
system interfaces with more than one seller. In this embodiment of
the invention, the order listing page will typically include a
column for "Sellers" that serves to identify the seller from which
the order was placed. Additionally, when a seller accesses the
system they will only have visibility to the status of the orders
that they placed with the supplier and will be excluded from
viewing other seller's orders.
Third Order Visibility Interface--the System Administrator
It is also possible for a third interface to be used, namely the
"System Administrator Interface." As shown in FIG. 34, the system
administrator, typically associated with the seller, will access
the system via the system login page by entering the appropriate
user name and password. In the example shown in FIG. 34 the
administrator user name is "admincsr". Once the login function is
completed the system administrator will be directed to the system
Main Menu, as shown in FIG. 35. The Main Menu allows the system
administrator to access the order information previously discussed,
as well as, access the Administration Menu listed under the heading
of Administrative Functionality.
From the Administration Main Menu, as shown in FIG. 36, the system
administrator has the capability to add or edit a new user, add or
edit the location of a supplier or add or edit a supplier. In
addition the system administrator may edit the profile of the
system administrator. FIG. 37 illustrates the page that is accessed
if the system administrator chooses to "add a new user". The new
user will typically comprise a seller's customer service
representative, a supplier representative or an additional system
administrator. A new user is added by entering the information
shown, including the name of the user, the login name of the user,
the user's password, the user's email address and the location of
the user.
The system administrator may additionally choose to "add a new
location" which directs the system administrator to the page shown
in FIG. 38. A pull-down menu allows the system administrator to
choose an existing supplier (i.e., company) and then fill in the
entries related to the new location. These entries include, a
description of the new location, the new location address, new
location telephone and fax numbers, a new location contact name,
printer type (for the purpose of configuring the self-generated
shipping label function and the appropriate seller's account
numbers that are tied to the supplier.
Additionally, the system administrator will have the capability to
"add a new company" by accessing the page shown in FIG. 39. The
information required to add a new supplier is similar to that
required to add a new supplier location, as discussed above. In
addition, adding a new supplier will require the company/supplier
name, a supplier code that identifies the supplier, an email
address, notification method (email, XML or otherwise), company
type (supplier or seller), and if the company has such, the
appropriate XML or URL address.
CONCLUSION
Therefore it may be seen that the order entry and visibility system
according to the present invention provides a simple interface to
assist companies or companies with many suppliers, to distribute
orders to their suppliers and to receive the status of the shipping
results in a central location using communication network
technologies.
The present invention includes several unique features. It
consolidates shipment status for many diverse suppliers in a single
easy to access format. The invention also enables order exchange
through a common interface for all suppliers in a network,
typically by the use of basic Internet technologies. With respect
to the supplier, it eliminates the need to re-enter data into
independent shipping applications. When the package is shipped,
shipment status is immediately provided to the seller without
further effort from the shipper or the supplier. Thus a multitude
of separate communications (faxes, phone conversations, etc.) are
avoided at a multitude of steps along the supply chain, avoiding
not only time-consuming effort but also avoiding the chances of
reentered data entry error or loss.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come
to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains
having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing
descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be
understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific
embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments
are intended to be included within the scope of the appended
claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used
in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of
limitation.
* * * * *
References